Denali Highway
Denali Highway
4.5
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Located midway between Anchorage and Fairbanks, this highway leads to some interesting tundra hikes.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
121 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
19
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
1
pbcurtiss
Nashville, TN109 contributions
Aug 2022
We drove the Denali Hwy in our rental Corolla and mostly enjoyed the experience. It was the clearest day we had on our trip and the views were excellent with the added bonus of not worrying about traffic and being able to stop easily for pictures. There were sections with a lot of potholes but for the most part smooth. This appeared to be the shortest route from Denali to Chitinia where we were catching a flight to McCarthy. We were happy with our decision until we reached a point where the road was closed. A culvert was being replaced, and for those in the know to check such things, it was scheduled. We had to sit for several hours, but enjoyed chatting with the locals also waiting. Fortunately our flight was the next night and we were to spend the night in Maclaren River Lodge, so it did not spoil any plans. I am glad we included this as part of our Alaska adventure.
Written 6 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NorthShoreGal826
Highland Park, IL74 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We don’t understand people that said it was one of the best drives ever. It didn’t come close. Extremely tedious 134 mile ride on gravel roads and not much to see. Go the paved way to Fairbanks!
Written 28 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DutchTX
The Woodlands, TX767 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Just amazing the Denali Highway. I'm describing the route from Cantrell to Paxson. About 5 miles on the road, stop, and look back, perhaps you see Denali in its full glory (attached picture). First ~55 miles is gravel road, then it becomes hardened road with many potholes (look out), last ~20 miles fairly good road. Incredible good views, many mountain ranges, and be on the look out for (crossing or nearby) wildlife. They say you need a 4x4, however with previous good weather and the day of travel good weather, that is not needed, just lookout, and do not drive too close behind someone; for us it was absolutely not busy, just a few cars over the 135 miles stretch.
Written 20 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alaskantravelnut
Anchorage636 contributions
Aug 2020
This is a fantastic drive. While the road is mostly unpaved, it is in pretty decent shape. You do not need a four-wheel drive car. An RV should have no problem. This is an exceptionally scenic drive. There are no trees to obscure the view, which includes panoramas of the Alaska Range. It is a step back in time to the old Alaska, when you could get 360 degree views of nothing but wilderness. There are many places along the road where you can camp with an RV or walk in and set up a tent. There is a nice campground at Tangle Lakes. There is good grayling fishing in nearly every stream, using flies or spinners. There is a hike at Maclaren Summit, the highest point along the route, that is flat and easy, and offers terrific vistas. You are likely to see wildlife, unless you go in late summer during hunting season. Even then, it is a great drive, with beautiful fall colors.
Written 9 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sully_ak907
Cooper Landing, AK82 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
This was an awesome trip. We rented an RV with the stipulations that as long as the highway was named and had an official state highway number assigned to it the Rv could be driven down it. Looking back on this trip I would have turned it into a 3 day trip spending more time hiking around, fishing, and checking out different ridgelines. Saw 4 or 5 Moose and got the flat tire many seem to talk about. The flat tire was mostly my fault as I drove too close to a fire pit ring and we ran over a nail that had at one time been in a board that was burnt I'm assuming.
Written 18 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry S
60 contributions
Jul 2022
We drove about an hour of the highway (at low speeds) and saw a few nice views, watched a few fly fishermen, and dodged a ton of potholes. Otherwise, we saw other areas that were prettier. We entered from Cartwell.
Written 20 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michaela D
Bronxville, NY98 contributions
May 2019
The physical road itself isn't great but there will be no shortage of views throughout your trip. Because the road is mostly gravel you can't drive too fast but this allows you to get glimpses of some amazing wildlife. During our trip we saw moose, porcupines, and a bear off in the distance. There are also little turnoffs throughout that are great for camping or short hikes. A good highway guide can help you find exactly what you are looking for!
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CRAIG C
Utah438 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
This is an absolute stunning drive along the Denali Highway. You get a bit of everything while traveling this old route. It’s a busy road and there are plenty of spaces to pull off. If you need an overnight space, look at this route because there are plenty of free areas to camp.
Written 11 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mdsails
mdsails10 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
I can't believe that everyone visiting Alaska doesn't drive the Denali Highway. In terms of scenery, it is amazing - it dwarfs Denali herself in overall beautiful scenic views. Mountains, glaciers, lakes, moose - our eyes hurt from looking at everything by the end - i think we stopped blinking just so we wouldn't miss anything. The road wasn't nearly as bad as we'd been led to believe. We rented a jeep but would have felt just as comfortable in a regular rental (although that goes against most AK rental companies policies.) Definitely bring along the Milepost and a copy of the book: Rocks, Ridges & Glaciers, so you know what you are looking at as you drive. There is no cell service, or radio, along most of the highway, so download any info you need in advance. We went Cantwell to Paxson then down the Richardson and Glenn to the matanuska in one day but in retrospect would stay at one of the lodges along the way or in Paxson, just so we could take more time. There is a new amazing view at every turn and photographers will want to hop out of the car every 20 feet. we stopped at alpine Creek for a drink and a grilled cheese, and a bathroom stop, and had a bonus of free internet to check in with the family. Super friendly people. Tangle lakes offered another bathroom break, a view of a moose and her calf, and an expensive but yummy pizza. If you want to see wild alaska, this is a great way to do it, no flightseeing required - just a car and your eyes. The Richardson and Glenn Highways are also gorgeous and loop you back to Anchorage.
Written 19 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cmasonwhf
Charles Town WV30 contributions
On July 22, 2007, we took the looooooooooong way back from Denali Park to Anchorage, turning left at Cantwell to cross the 135 mile long Denali Highway, unpaved for about 115 of those miles.
What a joy it was!! Spectacular vistas, even though it was heavily cloud covered and at times raining, which gave us a great sense of the "real Alaska" promised in the ads of widely separated business establishments along the road. The worst part of the gravel road was the westernmost 30 miles or so, with many small rocks and washboard surface, but the farther east we got the better the roadbed was, eventually being able to drive 50mph or so along very smooth gravel. Did not see much in the way of wildlife but saw plenty of signs of moose and/or bear along the road. Should have stopped at Gracious House for lunch, but only stayed long enough to buy a t-shirt and a coke before continuing eastbound to cross the Susitna Bridge, drive along the top of an esker, and cross McLaren summit before descending into the Tangle River valley. Can only imagine how much more spectacular it would have been if not for the low clouds. Enjoyed the drive down the Richardson Highway to Palmer also. It's much more interesting than Parks Highway, with great views of the Matanuska Glacier and River and many other things to see and do along the way. Highly recommend taking a day to go the long way around.
What a joy it was!! Spectacular vistas, even though it was heavily cloud covered and at times raining, which gave us a great sense of the "real Alaska" promised in the ads of widely separated business establishments along the road. The worst part of the gravel road was the westernmost 30 miles or so, with many small rocks and washboard surface, but the farther east we got the better the roadbed was, eventually being able to drive 50mph or so along very smooth gravel. Did not see much in the way of wildlife but saw plenty of signs of moose and/or bear along the road. Should have stopped at Gracious House for lunch, but only stayed long enough to buy a t-shirt and a coke before continuing eastbound to cross the Susitna Bridge, drive along the top of an esker, and cross McLaren summit before descending into the Tangle River valley. Can only imagine how much more spectacular it would have been if not for the low clouds. Enjoyed the drive down the Richardson Highway to Palmer also. It's much more interesting than Parks Highway, with great views of the Matanuska Glacier and River and many other things to see and do along the way. Highly recommend taking a day to go the long way around.
Written 24 July 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
we are 0lanning to visit alaska for 15 days. travelling with my parents and family. no idea what i can cover. my father is a heart patient, so wherever we go we need to rent pir own place ao he can eat saltfree food. please advice
Written 21 July 2018
Pouvez-vous me dire si l'on peut emprunter la Denali Highway avec une caravane de 24 pieds sans problème? Je sais qu'elle n'est pas asphaltée mais s'il pleut quelques jours, est-elle praticable quand même? La route monte-t-elle en altitude (possibilité de brume) ou sur terrain plat tout le temps? Merci pour votre réponse!
Written 2 March 2017
Claudine G
Epernon, France
Hello, What is the name of the rental company that will allow you to drive on Denali Road?
thank you,
P. GOUIN, France
Written 10 December 2016
It's only open in summer until the snow flies. No winter maintenance. In spring it's graded then begins deteriorating with traffic. We went in September & it's beautiful but slow going with potholes. Most RV & car rental companies will not let you drive this road.
Written 14 October 2016
linda d
Anchorage, Alaska
We are planning to bike the Denali Hwy starting Wed. Our sag wagon could be an RV is this road good for an RV? We had hoped to start at the Paxson end but are coming from Anchorage so Paxson looks like a very long trip up to the start. Am I missing something?
Alternatively we would take the train and get off in Cantwell (no sag wagon) stay at lodging along the way and end up in Paxson -- then we would have to figure out how to get back to Cantwell to get the train home. Ideas?
Written 1 August 2016
Do you know if rental RVs are allowed?
Written 31 July 2016
They are definitely allowed on the Denali Highway. We passed several that had pulled off the road for what appeared to be the night before. They had their awning out and were having breakfast when we drove past. We rented our Jeep from Go North in Anchorage. They also rent RVs....probably more RVs than SUVs actually and they permit their rentals to travel on the Denali Highway. You would need to check with the rental company you rent the RV from to see if they permit them.
Written 3 August 2016
I am a single mom traveling with my 6 year old to Anchorage to begin a cruise in early July. I wanted to go a week early to go to Denali and do some light hiking and bird/animal watching, but it seems that almost all the hotels/cabins are booked during our dates.
I am trying to figure out if driving the Denali Hwy is an attraction in and of itself, and if this is a good alternative to going to Denali Park. I guess we would drive from Anchorage, overnight in Cantwell, if possible, and then set out the next morning to drive to Paxson where I saw adorable cabins/tents to rent for a night or two. Then drive back down Hwy 1 on the opposite side back to Anchorage.
I worry that if something were to happen, would we be totally stranded, or is there some kind of highway patrol that would help if needed? I realize it's remote, and being just a mom and a young daughter worries me. But I'm adventurous (my daughter not so much) and I love the idea.
Any advice or ideas for us? :-)
Thank a lot!
Danielle
Written 19 February 2016
A Tripadvisor member
Albany, Oregon
What car rental company did you use that allowed you complete driving access to this highway
Written 18 February 2016
I am planning a trip this june on the Denali and Richardson highways. Does anyone have knowledge of available lodging along the route that they recommend?
Written 15 May 2015
I am planning a trip this June on the Denali and Richardson highways.
Does anyone have knowledge of available lodging along the route?
Written 7 May 2015
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